PORTLAND, Ore. (September 4, 2025) — Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) today announced the formation of a new business division, Corporate Development, to enhance agility, sharpen strategic focus and accelerate value creation across the organization. The division will be led by Rakesh Aneja, a seasoned executive with deep expertise in advanced propulsion and emerging technologies.

In this expanded role, Aneja will help shape DTNA’s strategic direction, lead DTNA’s joint ventures and partnerships, and oversee corporate responsibility efforts. He will also head Daimler Truck’s global Autonomous Technology Group, advancing development and series production readiness of the autonomous-ready vehicle platform, while managing current partnerships and unlocking future opportunities. In the autonomous role, he succeeds Joanna Buttler, who recently became general manager of product strategy and market development at DTNA.

The new division will collaborate closely with Daimler Truck’s global Corporate Development function, led by Christian Herrmann, who oversees Group M&A and corporate strategy. This alignment connects Daimler Truck’s global vision with regional priorities, creating added value for customers and supporting market growth.
Aneja previously led DTNA’s eMobility efforts, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s zero-emission strategy and launching key products and services. His leadership laid the foundation for DTNA’s continued progress in clean transportation and advanced technologies.

“These changes reflect our ambition to simplify how we work, move faster in our execution, and build a stronger, more resilient organization,” said John O’Leary, president and CEO of DTNA. “Rakesh brings a unique blend of technical depth and transformational thinking that will help us navigate the future with clarity and impact.”

Aneja began his career with Daimler in 1998 and has held various global engineering and leadership roles, including a four-year assignment in Stuttgart focused on powertrain engineering. He holds a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.